§ 3.15 p.m.
§ Baroness Lockwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they propose to support the education of children from ethnic minorities when funding currently provided under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 ceases on 31st August 1998.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has said, the previous plans which would have meant a reduction in the level of Section 11 funding from £83 million to £43 million will not stand. As soon as we have completed our review of the spending plans, we shall let local authorities have more precise information about arrangements after August 1998, when current funding approvals are due to run out.
§ Baroness LockwoodMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that most welcome reply. Does he appreciate just how welcome it will be to those local authorities which have substantial numbers of ethnic pupils in their schools'? Perhaps I may press my noble friend a little further and ask him whether the current 614 budget of £83 million is likely to remain intact or whether there is likely to be any reduction, or even an increase, in that respect? If that is so, can my noble friend tell the House how much would be involved in either case?
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy Lords, I am grateful for my noble friend's comment relating to local authorities. Of course, we do know how important this is for them. We have made it clear that the reductions that the previous government's spending plans entailed will not stand. Perhaps your Lordships will understand that we must complete our review of the plans before we can determine the precise figure for next year.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, does my noble friend the Minister accept that Section 11 money has been well spent and has served a very good purpose over the years? Does he further accept that the changes which the Government have in mind certainly ought to perpetuate that which has taken place in the past? However, can my noble friend comment on the view that one of the disadvantages is that, while there is a need for a rolling programme, in the past that has only lasted for a few years? In view of the need to teach English to ethnic minorities, is it not essential for such a rolling programme to be extended from three to, say, five or even seven years?
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy Lords, I entirely endorse my noble friend's observation; namely, how important the teaching of English is as a second language. Indeed, in the Prime Minister's words, it is "an investment for the future". As a child I certainly benefited from the teaching of English as a second language. I hope that your Lordships will think that it was a useful investment for the future. In answer to my noble friend's specific question, I can tell him that every project has its own relevant quantified targets. Every target and outcome is subject to regular monitoring. The point made by my noble friend about a rolling programme is one which will be borne carefully in mind in our consultations with all interested parties, not least the local authorities.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, I should like to join in the welcome that has been given from these Benches for the restoration of what was meant to be cut under the previous government. Is my noble friend aware that Section 11 money really is a jewel in the education finance crown and one that is fully and wholeheartedly supported by all teachers' unions, whose co-operation we will need during the next few difficult years? Perhaps I may just put in a plea that there should not be any reduction even when the review has been completed.
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy Lords, I accept my noble friend's description; it is indeed a jewel in the crown. I do not believe that anyone who heard the Prime Minister's speech at Brighton could be in any doubt about the Government's commitment to supporting Section 11 funding. However, my noble friend will not be amazed to discover that I cannot guess the outcome of the review to which I referred.
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, is the Minister aware that tripartite discussions have taken place between the Home Office, the Department of the Environment and the Department for Education to consider the efficacy of the expenditure of these moneys? If one looks more closely at the matter, one finds that some schools and some local authorities spend these moneys more efficaciously than others. A child who does not speak English as a first language is a burden on a teacher. Section 11 moneys cover only certain languages. Does not the Minister agree that this budget heading sits better with the education department than with the Home Office?
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy Lords, I am, of course, aware—as the noble Baroness indicated—that discussions have taken place for some years past in respect of departmental responsibilities. I am well aware that some have argued that the responsibility we are discussing should be transferred to the Department for Education and Employment. The noble Baroness said that teaching a child English as a second language is a burden on a teacher. That is why Section 11 funding exists. However, this is also a matter of giving a child an opportunity to grow fully and be respected within a community which we are proud to think offers a welcome to diverse cultures.
§ Lord ReaMy Lords, will the Home Office continue to administer this scheme or will it be transferred to another department, perhaps the Department for Education and Employment? In either case, will the scope or length of the project be affected in any way? Does not my noble friend agree that this scheme is a useful way of encouraging and promoting a harmonious, multicultural society—a concept which certain prominent Members of the Benches opposite do not seem to worry about?
§ Lord Williams of MostynMy Lords, in a sense the noble Lord's question overlaps that which the noble Baroness asked a moment or two ago. The Home Secretary has the general responsibility for fostering healthy community relations and that is why to date the grant has been administered by the Home Office. We are reconsidering arrangements. Our consideration of future funding arrangements will doubtless lead us to revisit the topic which the noble Lord and the noble Baroness have raised.